In Haaksbergerveen, a 500-metre-long boardwalk crosses wet bogland. At Buurserzand, heathland, patches of woodland, small fields and dune-like hills of wind-blown sand alternate. The landscapes around Haaksbergen offer a range of settings for nature watching, walks and cycling tours.
Bog, heathland and outdoor trails
Haaksbergerveen is a rare raised bog of more than 600 hectares on the southern side of Haaksbergen, near the German border. A birdwatching hide is easily accessible via a special path; two viewpoints provide information about the area. The trails are used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and drivers of carriages and teams. Please observe the local access rules during your visit.
At Buurserzand, you can go walking, observe nature and look out for birds and deer. Buursermeertje has a different history: textile workers dug it out as a swimming lake in the 19th century. This historical use describes how it was created, not the swimming options available today.
Witte Veen is another place to combine scenery and activity. The area is part of a 60-kilometre cross-border mountain-biking route along forest and sandy trails. A varied circular walking trail passes through a former smuggling area with heathland, raised bog, grassland and wet woodland. HaarmĂĽhle in nearby Germany is the start and end point of this circuit. As trail conditions can change, it is worth checking the latest local information before setting out on a specific route.
Haaksbergen has an extensive network of walking, cycling and mountain-biking trails: they pass through raised-bog landscapes, along country roads and past farms, and include challenging mountain-bike trails. There are also opportunities for horse riding on sandy tracks and through forests. The Haaksbergen heritage cycling route passes through Buurse-Haaksbergsveen and by old farmhouses in the surrounding hamlets of Brammelo, Boekelo (St. Isidorushoeve), Holthuizen, Eppenzolder, Stepelo, Buurse and Langelo. Routes around Haaksbergen also offer a chance to explore the winding streams of the Het Lankheet estate.
Mills, railways and regional history
The Oostendorper Watermolen stands on the Buursebeek; this twin watermill dates back to 1548. Its three undershot water wheels are divided between two wheels for the corn mill and one for the oil mill. An undershot wheel is powered by water flowing beneath it. This makes the mill complex’s technical feature easy to understand, while keeping the two branches of milling distinct.
De Korenbloem tells a different mill story: the windmill was built in Haaksbergen in 1798. Volunteers keep it running and invite visitors to look inside; plan your visit according to its current schedule. De Bommelas, meanwhile, illustrates a typical Twente building style, the “los hoes”: the farmer and livestock lived in one room. The Sint-Pancratiuskerk in Haaksbergen is also part of the historic heritage; it is a religious monument dating from the 12th century.
Museum Buurtspoorweg tells the story of the local railway between Haaksbergen and Boekelo. At Haaksbergen station, visitors can watch demonstrations of signals and points; old steam and diesel locomotives are displayed in the workshop and engine shed. Demonstrations may vary, and operating information and timetables are seasonal. So check the details before your visit. The traditional Bloemencorso is also one of the cultural events through which Haaksbergen celebrates its heritage; check specific dates and programme details separately when planning your trip.
De Wakel has a terrace at Buurserzand where visitors can enjoy apple pie with a view. When looking for a hotel in Haaksbergen, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your trip: bog and heathland landscapes, outdoor trails, or the history of mills and railways each offer a different perspective.
Discover more destinations: Haaksbergen, Enschede, Wierden, Hellendoorn, Hengelo, Zwartewaterland, Oldenzaal, Olst-Wijhe.
See the overview of destinations in the wider region: Overijssel.
